Prior to joining Brac, Dr Hossain was the head of the Social Sciences Division and Programme Leader, Rainfed Ecosystems Programme of the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI), Philippines. He was also the director general of Bangladesh Institute of Development Studies (BIDS) from 1989 to 1992.

Dr Hossain, known for his substantial contributions to research on development economics and agriculture policy in South and Southeast Asia, was awarded the Bangladesh Agricultural Economist Association's first Gold Medal in 1984 for his work.